Russia fined for snubbing Canadian anthem at hockey worlds

Russian players leave the rink after losing their Ice Hockey World Championship final game against Canada in Prague, May 17, 2015. Source: Reuters

The Ice Hockey Federation of Russia must pay a $83,000 penalty.

The Ice Hockey
Federation of Russia has been fined 80,000 Swiss francs ($83,000) over
an incident that occurred following the end of the gold medal game of
the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in the Czech Republic, the
International Ice Hockey Federation reported on Aug. 24.

The
Russian team and staff left the ice during the medal ceremony after
Canada had won the gold medal game 6-1 and received the medals, but
before the national anthem had been played and the flags of the three
medal-winning teams were raised.

The Disciplinary Board of the
IIHF ascertained that the Russian team captain had discussions with team
staff members, after which he talked to his teammates, at the same time
nodding towards the gate, which had been open since the start of the
ceremony. The majority of the players and the staff members left the ice
immediately after the Canadian players had received their medals, while
a few players remained, eventually leaving the ice themselves a little
later.

At formal hearing with the Ice Hockey Federation of
Russia on Aug. 21, General Manager Andrei Safronov expressed his regrets
and apologized for the actions of the players and staff. It was
emphasized in a statement by the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia that
the incident was an unfortunate misunderstanding. The federation said
that this was not intentional and that the open gate was interpreted
according to existing practices as a signal for the players to leave the
ice.

The Ice Hockey Federation of Russia can appeal this
decision to the IIHF Appeal Board within seven days of the receipt of
the decision.